Since Formula 1 world champion Nico Rosberg decided enough was enough and hung up his helmet just after the end of the 2016 season, everyone has waited in suspense for who Mercedes would choose to replace him.
Easily the most coveted seat in F1, which should be the plum drive for 2017, there were plenty of drivers eyeing a career-making opportunity with the team that had not just won the drivers' and constructors' titles in each of the last three years, but has utterly dominated.
So it was always going to be a difficult decision for Mercedes, especially with the team that dominated the previous four seasons - Red Bull - aiming to capitalise on the major regulation changes to try to get back on top.